The Shopping Bag

I don’t eat many hamburgers but when I do, its from the Shopping Bag! This is not your run of the mill burger joint but the burgers do not disappoint. The staff is always friendly and eager to help. The Sizzler is a local favorite but if you like some spice go after the El Diablo or Bad Andy! Remember … this is a general store not a typical sit down restaurant. You will not be disappointed!

The Shopping Bag is true to name. I get a shopping bag every time I buy more than one item there. FOR FREE. Plus they have a bunch of useful stuff and it is highly convenient. A+

Deceiving. Quiet little spot. Out of the way. And, as advertised, exceptional burgers. Worthy Burger still safe. But close second.

Don’t be fooled by its bodega appearance, this place makes legit burgers.
Just trolling Unilocal while on a weekend getaway to Burlington, I made an executive decision to stop here on a rainy Saturday. Everything mentioned in the other reviews were correct, need to order at the cash register and pay there as well. Burgers are HUGE, and a great greasy mess/​hangover cure.
This place may not be the most esthetically pleasing, but it is pleasing to the belly!

I come from the Midwest where a good burger is much easier to find than it is in VT. Luckily I found my go-​to burger here at The Shopping Bag. The sizzler is hands down the best burger I have had in VT and I try to save all of my burger meals for a sizzler. Tough to beat as far as I’m concerned.

You wouldnt expect vermonts best burger at this store, but it certainly is one of the best burgers i have had in vermont (I have lived here for 20 years). Very reasonably priced and the burgers are no joke. I appreciate the creativity which goes into each burger making they unique and delicious.

Not to rub it in, but this was the Shopping Bag lunch you missed. Half pound fresh ground beef, bacon, jalapenos and pepper jack cheese. Accompamied by house fries and an icy cold Cherry Coke. This was all enjoyed al fresco at the Burlington fishing pier. How was your lunch?

Ok, so this gets a four because the «ambience.» The burgers are top notch, and I would say the best in VT, but the convenience store it is located in leaves a bit to be desired. If Burlington has a bad part, this would be located in that area. That being said it’s Burlington so there really is no bad part. It is the old part of town so the area is a bit run down and this building is no different.
Back to the food. The burgers and fantastic and quite large. For the money, you can’t beat what you get. Make sure you double up on your cholesterol medications before you take your first bite. You can get fries as well. They dump those in a bag similar to Five Guys, but these burgers are much better. Give it a try, if they get enough money maybe they will fix the building up.

I tried The Sizzler and it was just as amazing as everyone else says. Bigger than I thought for the price. If you’re willing to go into a not so nice looking little store in a broken part of town, it’s well worth it.

These burgers are DELICIOUS! It’s a perfect place to get yourself a filling meal without breaking the bank. Also, newbies beware: you need to order and pay at the register before you get your food!
This is a place you need to eat whenever you’re in the area of North Street!

I saw an article online stating best burgers in VT. I think that’s an understatement. Best burgers in the world!!! We tried the Sizzler and the El Diablo. Amazing!!! Also had regular and Cajun fries. Awesome!!! Place is in a sketchy area and nothing to look at from the outside or inside. But don’t let that stop you from going. Well worth it!!!

Oh Lordy, this is a damn good burger. We had 2x Sizzlers. «Best Burger» in Vermont? Try Best Burger in the world. I actually said to my companion after finishing this delicious burger «see, now we have a problem, because we have tasted the best burger in the world and we can’t have it again.» Which is true, given we are from Australia. Don’t let that stop you, it was worth it.
I don’t know what exactly it is that makes it so delicious. But it is. It’s really that simple. I’m wondering what time they open tomorrow so I can go back and have another one before I leave town.
A couple of things now my raving is over: this is a store, with a burger grill. Nowhere to sit except the street. Which is totally fine — we walked back to the Mall and perched on some park benches. The burgers lasted that distance nicely. We weren’t mad for the fries, would go without next time. Who needs fries when you have a deliciously massive burger anyway?
In short: get this burger.

Never knew this place existed until last week. When I heard they had the best burger in Vermont I was intrigued. The burgers lived up to expectations-​I got the SOB and my boyfriend got the Sizzler. Both were juicy and very flavorful. The fries were hand cut and yummy but would have benefited with a minute or two longer in the fryer. My only wish is that there was seating available as well as the ability to order a beer. Alas, this is a burger joint within a convenience store so to go is the only option. Too bad.

Loved watching the Sizzler being pieced together before my eyes. It was a grease filled, mouth full of wonderful. Good stop if you’re not feeling like a sit down meal.

I give The Shopping Bag 5 stars for ambience, surprising me and for really awesome burgers.
The Shopping Bag is a little «general store”-type place in the Old North End of Burlington. It’s sort of the seedier part of town. Depending on where in the Old North End you’re at, it’s also the hipper part of town. The Shopping Bag on the inside looks like it was established in the 1950s and then never really changed or cleaned much. It’s a place you would think most people stop in to get beer and ciggies and maybe a bag of chips. However, it’s so much more than that. There is a deli in the back and to the right, just as you walk in (almost invisible of you’re not looking for it or aware of its existence) is a section with chalkboard menus hanging over it where they make the burgers and assorted other sandwiches.
Given the environs, your first inclination would probably be to not order any food made there. Pay no attention to your first inclination. The burgers are wonderful.
Be aware that all burgers are ½ pound of meat unless you specify you want ¼ pound (there was so much burger I ate half of mine for dinner and the rest for breakfast and lunch). Also be aware that you can’t order your food at the food counter. You must first approach the cash register at the opposite side of the store front and order there, pay and then head over to pick up your food.
The guy behind the food counter was sweet. He could tell I was a complete newbie. He asked me how I wanted my patty cooked, I said medium (I prefer medium rare, but when in doubt I go for more cooked than not). I had ordered the Sizzler, a burger with bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions (I asked for no onions), catsup, mustard and mayo. It has one state awards as best burger in Vermont. It’s very very good. Mine came out medium rare which I was happy about but not everyone might be. Maybe the guy behind the counter is psychic. Maybe not.
The icing on the cake was the fact that located just in front of the burger making area, is an ice cream cooler and they had Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Cup ice cream. Especially meaningful because my boyfriend who has some bug of flu, had eaten straight from my B&J Peanut Butter Cup ice cream pint the day before and then put it back in the freezer. Since that pint was contaminated I had thrown it away and was still complaining about it. Can you say «Oh serendipitous day»?
I probably won’t go back to the Shopping Cart for a while because last night I ate so much burger and ice cream that I will probably avoid both for at least a few weeks. But the next time I have a burger craving, which I often do, you can be sure that is where I will go. I also like Blue Bird Tavern burgers but that’s more of an expensive sit down meal that’s not ideal for take out. I used to sometimes go to Five Guys but they screwed up my orders so many times (don’t put onions on my burgers unless you want me to have a silent melt down) that I’ve vowed never to return :)

If you are looking for the best burger in town to eat, the shopping bag is the best place to get it. This place is just like any other convenience store that sells anything from beverages to chips. They do have a grill inside and they sell burgers, fries, sandwiches, and much more. My personal favorite is the sizzler. The sizzler is a huge burger that’s super greasy, and it’s also at an affordable price! You’ll find yourself full after a few bites as it is a pretty big burger. The shopping bag can be backed up at times if the grill is busy with other orders. However, the wait is totally worth it i promise.

The Shopping Bag itself is a small convenience store, meat market, and grill. It is located in the Old North End of Burlington and will frequently have people hanging out outside and inside waiting for their burgers. They have a surprisingly good selection of beer and wine, and their burgers definitely attract a cult following. The Sizzler has been voted ‘best burger in Vermont’ by the Food Network a couple (?) years back. The burger itself is HUGE, and certainly delivers on a quantity scale. I would reserve this burger as a treat every once in a while or to share with a friend. Their fries and sweet potato fries are excellent as well. As a fast food type establishment, it certainly delivers on all those points (filling, affordable, heavy on the grease, and definitely a guilty pleasure). The menu can be found behind the grill on a chalk board on the right as you walk in, but you order and pay up at the register on the left. Definitely call ahead to try and circumvent the long wait.

The Shopping Bag is our go to place for a burger fix in Burlington.
Always freshly ground beef, fresh veggies, and the service is good, for a ½ deli ½ convenience store.
There’s no seating or waiting area, just grab and go, but don’t let that deter you from trying them out!
We first decided to try from hearing of the Scibek, but saw the Cowboy and it’s been our favorite.
My husband now chooses to have a doughnut on all of his burgers, thanks to Shopping Bag.

The Sizzler burger is amazing! One of the best you will have, They bring in fresh ground beef from their burtcher shop in the back. The sprinkle special seasoning on the burger as they cook it. Friendly service too. I have the fries with crazy and it was also super dleiccious.
The process: Go to the grocery register and put your order in and pay.
Grocery guys hands you a ticket.
Go over to the cooking area and hand the cook the ticket.
Wait in the store or outside while your burger are being cooked. It’s cramped inside but no big deal. I like how you get to see your burger cooking.
Everyone is friendly. Oh, and credit cards are accepted!

The Shopping Bag looks very much like a simple convenience store in a slightly sketchy part of town… If you can look past that, you will be glad to discover that there is a great grill inside. They feature daily specials with some amazing burgers.
The most popular burger is a Scibeck (sp???) Sizzler. It is a monster of a burger and greasily delicious. It also happens to be huge, gigantic, monstrous! One of these will have you feeling full for a day! Go ahead– try it. Just remember to call ahead so you don’t have to wait for it to be grilled– you can just pick it up!!!